Knowledge and perceptions of pregnant women with regard to environmental hazards and their effects on health outcomes in pregnancy and early childhood: a qualitative study
Dr. Ruth Jepson (SCPHRP)
14.15, Wednesday 10 July. Millennium Lounge, level 5
Background
Environmental health is an area of increasing global concern partly due to an increase in established links between a number of diseases and environment exposures. Children and the developing foetus are known to be particularly vulnerable to the impact of environmental pollution and as such, the European Environment Agency and the WHO have highlighted this as a high priority which warrants further research. For example, a range of chemicals and physical hazards encountered in workplaces, wider environments and food and drink may be associated with cancers, low birth weights in children, neurological development and birth defects.
Aims
Methods
We adopted a holistic approach to the research, combining both health and social science perspectives, in order to capture the range of factors affecting views on and experiences. The approach was located within ‘a lay epidemiology’ frame that included both specific hazards and the wider ‘world view’ of risks and hazards. Three area of Forth Valley region (Scotland) were chosen to reflect the diverse environments within the region: 1) an industrial area located next to a large oil refinery and other chemicals plants2) a largely urban area of Stirling city and its immediate environs, 3) a rural and agricultural area. We undertook a qualitative study which used both focus groups and individual interview data collection methods. Three focus groups (with a total of 15 women) and 7 individual interviews were conducted (22 women in total). Data were coded using a system based on a modified version of hazard world mapping, as well as allowing new themes to emerge.
Results
Women had varied and often complex understandings of the terms ‘environment’ and ‘hazards/risks’ from the home, through local community and local area to the wider planet. This understanding did not always map neatly across class, education or location. In terms of health risks to their unborn child, the majority were most concerned about risks that they felt were within their ‘control’ which included what they ate and drank (but not related to pesticides) and physical threats, or products bought and used or consumed in the house. Another major perceived risk was the local environment. This included social stressors and possible physical threats such as anti-social behaviour (verbal and threat of physical abuse, unsafe neighbourhoods, litter, glass etc) and road traffic. Many also reported significant work hazards, especially those working in occupations such as caring, hairdressing and shops. Wider environmental hazards such as air, soil or water pollution were less commonly mentioned or perceived as risks.
Conclusions
The project examined aspects of risk construction, risk assessment and risk management. Current political agendas emphasise problems of risk aversion but the study found that the principal problems often related to a lack of economic power to control perceived hazards and limited access to accurate information about many reproductive hazards. The implications of these findings for public health will be discussed.
Environmental health is an area of increasing global concern partly due to an increase in established links between a number of diseases and environment exposures. Children and the developing foetus are known to be particularly vulnerable to the impact of environmental pollution and as such, the European Environment Agency and the WHO have highlighted this as a high priority which warrants further research. For example, a range of chemicals and physical hazards encountered in workplaces, wider environments and food and drink may be associated with cancers, low birth weights in children, neurological development and birth defects.
Aims
- to assess pregnant women’s current knowledge base on reproductive environmental health hazards and risks
- to examine how their understanding and perceptions of such potential environmental hazards can impact on pregnant women and their unborn child in future years
Methods
We adopted a holistic approach to the research, combining both health and social science perspectives, in order to capture the range of factors affecting views on and experiences. The approach was located within ‘a lay epidemiology’ frame that included both specific hazards and the wider ‘world view’ of risks and hazards. Three area of Forth Valley region (Scotland) were chosen to reflect the diverse environments within the region: 1) an industrial area located next to a large oil refinery and other chemicals plants2) a largely urban area of Stirling city and its immediate environs, 3) a rural and agricultural area. We undertook a qualitative study which used both focus groups and individual interview data collection methods. Three focus groups (with a total of 15 women) and 7 individual interviews were conducted (22 women in total). Data were coded using a system based on a modified version of hazard world mapping, as well as allowing new themes to emerge.
Results
Women had varied and often complex understandings of the terms ‘environment’ and ‘hazards/risks’ from the home, through local community and local area to the wider planet. This understanding did not always map neatly across class, education or location. In terms of health risks to their unborn child, the majority were most concerned about risks that they felt were within their ‘control’ which included what they ate and drank (but not related to pesticides) and physical threats, or products bought and used or consumed in the house. Another major perceived risk was the local environment. This included social stressors and possible physical threats such as anti-social behaviour (verbal and threat of physical abuse, unsafe neighbourhoods, litter, glass etc) and road traffic. Many also reported significant work hazards, especially those working in occupations such as caring, hairdressing and shops. Wider environmental hazards such as air, soil or water pollution were less commonly mentioned or perceived as risks.
Conclusions
The project examined aspects of risk construction, risk assessment and risk management. Current political agendas emphasise problems of risk aversion but the study found that the principal problems often related to a lack of economic power to control perceived hazards and limited access to accurate information about many reproductive hazards. The implications of these findings for public health will be discussed.